I sucked in a breath. Fuck. That would be dangerous. But Cobra was right—we were acting like scared pussies. It was time to get back in the saddle.

“Are you up to it, brother?” I was concerned that Cobra was trying to do too much too soon.

“Yeah. Fuck this shit. A man’s gotta do what he has to do. Besides, I already spoke to Mia about it. She agrees it will be good for building the club spirit back up. In typical woman fashion, she’s already planning the food.”

Mia was levelheaded. I trusted her judgment. If she thought Cobra was up to it—and she should know—I’d go along with it.

I nodded. I'd just put extra security on for the day. Be extra careful, ‘cause I had a tingling down my spine, and that didn't bode well.

Lexi sauntered back behind the bar counter, not looking in my direction. She smiled sweetly at an agitated Razor, and flirted outrageously with the man. Razor’s frown melted and he seemed to lap up the attention. Was she trying to make me jealous? I chuckled to myself. Bitches. When would a man ever understand them? At least Razor was happy and was benefitting, so I just watched their interaction with amusement.

It still niggled at my mind: I knew Lexi from somewhere. But where?

“Ready to head back to LA?” I finished my beer and banged the glass down on the counter, suddenly eager to get back to the city.

I wasn’t sure exactly how to dress for the occasion. I'd never been to a barbeque at a MC compound. Why I'd even accepted Mia’s invitation was beyond me. Mia had told me Ryder was living between the house and the compound since Cobra had come out of hospital. I guessed it was because he wanted to give the family their own space, yet needed to check that they were safe. I also knew that Ryder would use any excuse to go for a ride on his beautiful Harley.

But it was all a new experience for me. I was going into unknown and scary-as-hell territory. Especially after I’d had such tainted ideas of what bikers were all about for so long.

In my gut, I knew the answer: I wanted to see Ryder in his natural habitat, so to speak. I’d only ever seen him in LA, far away from his normal environment. The fancy house in Beverly Hills was out of his comfort zone, and I’d picked that up from day one. So now I wanted to see the place where he was comfortable to just be himself.

Besides, I was an adult now, I had to find out for myself what a group of bikers were all about and make up my own mind. That didn't mean I wasn’t still freaking out. Especially if Harrison found out about my plan. I shuddered just thinking about his reaction.

It was hot. Summer was in full-swing, and California was humid and uncomfortable. I chose a pair of denim shorts that I hadn’t worn in years and a white tank top. Usually I was self conscious about showing off my bare legs, but I wanted to be comfortable and just a little bit sexy. At the last minute, I slipped a shirt on, and tied a knot at my belly.

Both Mom and Daddy were on the patio, reading the Sunday paper over a cup of coffee. I poured some orange juice into a glass and made small-talk for a few minutes before announcing that I was off to a friend’s place for the day.

“Girl friend or boy friend?” Mom asked. The woman was shrewd.

I laughed. “I'm going to a barbeque with a girl friend and her family. I adore her kiddies. And—I’m hoping to make lots of new friends—girls and boys.”

“Remember lots of sunscreen. You don’t want to burn and be sore tomorrow,” she warned.

“And drink lots of water, especially if you’re having alcohol,” Daddy added.

They were just acting like they always did—caring and somewhat overprotective—but God, today it grated on my nerves. I rolled my eyes and sighed. They had to stop treating me like a damn kid.

Kissing both their foreheads, I headed off for the day. If they really knew where I was going they’d probably try to ground me.

Pressing the button to let the top of my convertible down, I decided I was going to enjoy the wind in my hair and just live for today. I wasn’t going to worry about what Harrison and my parents would think. I was determined to have an open mind.

I got to the house in Beverly Hills within fifteen minutes. Mia had already strapped the kiddies into their car seats, and Cobra leaned against the SUV. Mia hugged me and pulled me by the hand—I was finally going to meet Cobra face-to-face.

To say that I was apprehensive was an understatement. What if he didn't like me? And what if he turned out to be everything I expected from a biker? How would I handle that?

At first he appeared intimidating. He was over six feet of brawn and muscle, a full sleeve tattooed on both arms with a piercing in his eyebrow. He looked mean, dressed in all black and with a scowl on his face. His head was completely shaven and his square jaw was set as he appraised me, arms folded over his wide chest. I couldn’t see his eyes; they were hidden behind sunglasses.

Scary biker.

“Baby, this is the lovely Jade.” Mia turned to Cobra and smiled.

What I saw next shocked the hell out of me. The big man pushed away from the SUV and the biggest, warmest smile spread across his face. He removed his sunglasses as he held out a hand.

“So you’re the girl who’s caused so much fuss.” His smile spread to his eyes, chocolate brown, just like Mia’s and the kids. He took my hand in his and shook it, squeezing just enough so that it was welcoming but not painful. Small creases ran from his eyes to his mouth as he grinned.

Mia swatted his arm, laughing. “Baby, don’t make her uncomfortable.”

“So who’s been talking about me? Ryder? Only he’d think I make a fuss.” I frowned. What had Ryder said about me? Remembering my manners, I held out my hand. “I’m glad you’re out of the hospital. Your family missed you,” I said politely. Phew, he isn’t that scary after all.

With the formalities out of the way, I shuffled in next to Jamie, kissing the little ones and enjoying their welcoming smiles. Jamie had a picture book in his hands and was eager for me to read him a story. Well, at least if everything else tanked and I really didn't fit in, I could take the kids off Mia’s hands and let her relax with her friends. Either way, it would work out.

As we got closer to the compound, I started doubting my decisions. Firstly, the decision to accept Mia’s invitation. Curiosity had gotten the better of me, but I knew I wouldn’t fit in, so it would be damn awkward. I came from a world so different, I didn't really have a clue what to expect.

Secondly, about what I was wearing. Shorts, Jade? What the hell was I thinking? There were going to be lots of guys around. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong impression. I should’ve worn jeans or a dress. But right now there was nothing I could do about it. Suck it up, Princess. I had to chuckle quietly to myself at the situation I’d found myself in. Who was I bluffing? I wanted Ryder's eyes to fall out when he saw me. I wanted him panting for me. Yes, I wanted his eyes, his hands and his mouth all over me . . .

I was conflicted between what I knew I shouldn’t be doing, and what I wanted. My lust for Ryder was overwhelming, and making me do things that the old Jade would have slapped me for.

My eyes widened when we reached the compound. Even the area looked different to what I was used to. It was industrial, and pretty desolated because it was a Sunday. Barbed wire rimmed the walls, and security guards stood at the imposing gates. Shit. What was the deal? Was this a mistake coming here? If they needed all these security measures . . .

Surely Mia wouldn’t endanger the lives of her kids? That thought at least helped to settle the churning in my gut. My heart was hammering in my chest and my palms were clammy. Ryder wasn’t expecting me. What would his reaction be when he saw me here—on his turf? Would he be mad? Well, I was going to find out soon enough.